The Rafiq Bhatia Collective:
my main working ensemble, which features Jackson Hill (bass), Alex Ritz (drums), Corey King (trombone), and Jeremy Viner (saxophone).
The Billy Hart Laboratory:
Legendary drummer Billy Hart's research & development trio
Chrysalis:
A new band that I am co-leading with trombonist/composer Corey King, also featuring Logan Ricahrdson (alto saxophone), Kyle Wilson (tenor saxophone), Jackson Hill (bass), and Tommy Crane (drums).
Nina Moffitt Quintet:
Vocalist Nina Moffitt's flagship ensemble, also featuring Kyle Wilson (saxophone), Jackson Hill (bass), and Kassa Overall (drums).
about the music:
Once (Bhatia) is a composition that I wrote as a prequel to the song "Again" by Bill Frisell. Recorded in April 2009, it features Jackson Hill (bass) and Alex Ritz (drums).
Endogenous Oscillators (Bhatia) and Annihilator Gators (Bhatia) are selections from my junior recital, which was recorded live at the Cat in the Cream in Oberlin, OH in April, 2009. Featured are Noah Bernstein-Hanley (alto saxophone), Miller Tinkerhess (trumpet), Chris Pattishall (piano), Jackson Hill (bass), and Alex Ritz (drums).
All the Things You Are (Hammerstein/Kern), a duet with the great Billy Hart on drums, is a selection from my sophomore recital, which was recorded live at the Feve in Oberlin, OH in May of 2008.
Open Spaces; Open Minds (Bhatia) was recorded live at Cornelia Street Cafe in New York, NY with Chrysalis—Corey King (trombone), Logan Ricahrdson (alto saxophone), Kyle Wilson (tenor saxophone), Jackson Hill (bass), and Tommy Crane (drums)
"A contemporary mind with the true potential of the future, Rafiq Bhatia is definitely an artist to look forward to hearing."
—Billy Hart, legendary jazz drummer
I am a 22-year-old guitarist/composer originally from Raleigh, NC. I am currently enrolled at Oberlin College, studying economics, cognitive science, mathematics, and decision-making.
You can find out more about me by visiting my website. At the moment, I am appearing regularly with my group, The Rafiq Bhatia Collective. I’m also co-leading a new group called Chrysalis with trombonist/composer Corey King, which also features Logan Richardson: alto saxophone, Kyle Wilson: tenor saxophone, Jackson Hill: bass, and Tommy Crane: drums. Lately, I've been given the additional honor of playing with legendary drummer Billy Hart in a new trio, The Billy Hart Laboratory. Additionally, my Oberlin-based trio, which includes Jackson Hill: bass, and Austin Vaughn: drums, holds an artist-in-residence position at The Feve Bar in Oberlin, OH.
I am currently the editor-at-large for the blog of the New York-based creative music label Pi Recordings.
You can catch me most Sunday evenings on the guitar/loops and samples/other things at The Feve Bar in Oberlin, or at other times in other places in other parts of the world. You can find out about these other performances by visiting this page from time to time. Thanks for looking me up! Check back soon for new music, musings, etc.
hahaha...dude those 128th notes were so soulful! I want that sound though, I'll put it on my keytar...hope you're doing well man, look forward to playing soon
Hey doggy style good to hear you jazzinn it up... sorry i missed your last gig, i had one myself... every time you have played here, i have had something the same night... but i just listened to your shit, it sounds nice... i like the distortion baby baby. call me when your here next its been to long.
hey man, unfortunately the trip got cancelled...the government wont let them open a club and school in the same building. so im just chilling in newton. hows your summer?
Rafiq man these tracks are KILLIN me! Why you gotta be so far away. From me. You kilt All The Things. Iz dead. Bring the shit this weekend. Break legs.
hi rafiq great to hear from you thanks for your kind words glad you enjoyed the music ..great versions of all the things and the ornette wru with mr hart ..sounds terrific!!!a shame you're not coming back here ..i'll let you know if i'll be coming sometime in the states maybe in the fall ...keep in touch and the groove peace misja
hey man, diggin' the track. lookin' forward to hearin' more from you soon. I think I learned more about music in that one semester we did with pietro than I have in my whole life; hopefully you and I will have the opportunity to play again in the future.
ahhhh...very nice! i am assuming the west coast shall win and you'll move here upon absolution of past midwest sins. hope to hear and see your hotzzzz soon
hope the year's finishing up well for you my friend. Just here out west, trying to figure out what I'm doing out west, ya know... I lost my cell a few weeks ago. Just got a new one, same number. Call so I can get your digits again and we can catch up. Peace!
